Berlin, 5 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock flatly rejected US President Donald Trump's plans to remove and resettle the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip.

"Expulsion of the Palestinian civilian population from Gaza would not only be unacceptable and contrary to international law, it would also lead to new suffering and new hatred," Baerbock said on Wednesday in Berlin.

Baerbock said that "everyone agrees that Gaza must be rebuilt as quickly as possible," which would require a massive commitment of international aid.

"We Europeans are ready to do our part together with the United States and our partners in the region," Baerbock said.

Trump said during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington that the US wanted to take possession of the Gaza Strip, which has been largely destroyed during more than a year of Israeli bombardment.

The approximately 2 million Palestinians who live there would have to be relocated to other Arab states in the region, according to Trump.

The proposal has been met with fierce international criticism.

The German foreign minister said that Gaza's civilian population needs "help for a future on their land - in security, dignity and peaceful coexistence with Israel."

Baerbock called for "genuine political prospects" for Gaza in which Hamas terrorists would no longer be allowed to play a role in the future.

"At the same time, one thing is clear: Gaza - just like the West Bank and East Jerusalem - belongs to the Palestinians. They form the starting point for a future state of Palestine," said Baerbock.

She said that international institutions such as the G7, the EU and the UN had made it clear from the outset that "the civilian population of Gaza must not be displaced and Gaza must not be permanently occupied or resettled."

A negotiated two-state solution remains the only solution that allows Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace, security and dignity, she said.

Photo: archive